Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-11-11
tn. anarchists--FieIde and schWab
escape Death.


ted 10 life imprisonment the sentef ces o.
Samuel Fielden and Michael SchWab, nut
refused TO Interfere il behalf OF the other
fouy priae ne,s, Albeit R. ParRous, August
Spice, Adolph Fischer and Geo. Engei. Inc
fo,lowirp ia tie Governors decision in fuii
in the anarchist case os.
STATE of Illinois, Executive Cgce, spring
field, Nov. 10, lSS7.-On the Zosh aay 81
August, 1886, in the Cook Coun1y G pLaaas
Ssrnne, Felden. Michael Schwab, Adolph
Fischer. George Engel and Louis Lingg
ware found guilty by The verdict OF the jury
and afterwards sentenced to be hanged
for the murder of Matthias J. began. an
anpeai was taken from such hndlng ana
sentence to the Supreme Court OF the State.
That court, upon final hearing, and after
mature deliberation, unanimously amrmea
the Judgment OF the court below. Inc ceae
now comes before me by petition of the de-
f.ndsnls for consideration as Governor OF
the STATE. 1.-THE letters of Albert Parsons,
Adolph Fischer, George Engel and Louis
LINGO demanding Unconditional release.
or. as they express it, liberty or death,
and prolt sting in the strongest Language
AGAINST mercy or Communication OF the son
fence pronounced against them, can be con
.idered petitions, pardon, could 1t be grant.
ed. which might imply any guilt whatever
mon the part of either of them, would not
he such a yin6ication as they demand.
Executive intervention upon the grouhos
insisted upon by The four above named per
sons could in no proper sense be deemed al
exercise of the constitutional power
10 grant reprieVes, communications ana
pardons, unless based upon tbs osiiei
on my part Of their entire Innocence o.!
the crime of which they stand convicted.
A careful consideration of tho evidence IN n
the record Of the trial of the parties, as we'll
as Of all alleged AID claimed for them CUT
side of The record, has failed 10 produce
uoon nv mind aly impression tending TO
imneach the verdict of the jury or thu iudg
ment of the trial court or of the supreme
Court affirming the guilt of all these parties
Satisfied, therefore, as am Of their guilt,
am prtcuded from considering the question
of Communication of The sentences of Albert
r. Parsons, Adolph Fischer George Engc
and Louis Lingg 10 imprisonment IL the
pepiteniary, as they emphalically declare
thew will not accept such commutatlon.
Samuel Fieden, Michael Schwab and Au-
gust Spies unite il petition for executive
clemency" Fielder and Schwab in add
ton, present separate and supplementary
petitions for The communication OF their SEN
fences. While, as ssid above, am satisfied
of the guilt of all the parties as found By the
verdict of the jury, which was sustained by
the judgments Of the courts, mcst careful
consideration of The whole subject leads me
to the conclusion that the sentence OF the
law az 10 Samuel Fieldeu ard Michael
Schwab may be modified ~ TO each OF them
in the interest Of humanity end without do
ing violence TO lublic justice. And as 10
the said Saml Fielden and Michael Schwab,
the sentence is committed TO Imprisonment
in the penitentiary for life. As to all The
other above named defendants l d. not feel
justified in interfering with the sentence Of
the court. While would gladly have come
to different conclusion in regard to the
sentence OF defendants August Spies, Adolph
Fischer, George Engel, Albert K. Parsons
and Louis Lingg, regret to say that under
the solemn sense Of the obligations OF my
oftice have been unable to do So.
RICHARD j. OGLEsBY, Governor.
When lha news of the commusation of the
sentence CT Fieldon and Schwab was re-
ceiyed it was sent 10 the relatives OF oil the
condemned men. and in short time they
began 10 arrive at the Jail. The frat of the
ter Schwab was brought from his cell to the
main office. His wife quickly advanced to
him, and throwing her arms about his neck
burst into tears. 9chwab returned the em
brace in Il calm manner, and soon the two
were chatting quietly together.
After this, Spies and Fischer werebrought
from their cells and taken 10 the Jail library.
Engel WAS brought TO the private Office Of
MIR. Foiz This was done for the purpose
of slloWing the relatives TO take their last
interviews. The fret one of the woman
to arrive after Mrs. Schwab was Miss Engel,
daughter of the condemned anarchist.
When the two met in the private Office there
was an outturst of grief which it is impossi'
bio to describe. Father and daughter cung
to each other and sobbed convu!sively.
Their conversation was in German, and
listened 10 only by Deputy Oeson. Then
came Mrs. Spies, the mother of August.
She had been waiting outside for an hour
and a-haIf Her sobs could be heard
through the corridors of the building. She
did not stay long in the library with her son,
and on her exit from the Jail Mrs. Fischer
was admitted She went into the library,
and her lamentations we're heard above the
tramp of the deputies who swarmed about
the place. But the crowDing scene Of sliswes
Ine WISH ol Mia van Il 'nut' 'nS PioAy WIG
of Spies She was conducted to ha library
by Deputy Oleson. AS she walked through
the main Office she betrayed no emotion.
The moment she'saw August, however, she
completely changed her deneanor. There
was look, then gasp and in trico the
lovers were in each others arms. A bevy
of curious reporters and officers crowded up
to the door of The library, but it was quickly
shut by the deputy. The interview between
the prisoner and his faithful devotee lasted
nearly half an hour. At the end Of that
time the lovers bad parted, and the ex.
element OF the entrances OF Nina had
passed.
The following telegram waa sent to Chi.
cago last night by Gen. W. II. Parsons. OF
Norfolk, Va F:
"To Capt. F0l=, Cook Co. Bastiie. Chicago,